The Minnesota Vikings joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960, and currently participate in the North Division of the NFC; prior to that, the Vikings were in the NFC Central Division, and before that they were in the NFL’s Western Conference Central Division. In the team’s first regular season game, the Vikings played the Chicago Bears, defeating them 37-13.

Since the team’s first season in 1961, the Vikings have maintained a high winning percentage. The Vikings are one of only six NFL teams to win at least 15 games during the regular season and have won four NFC Championships (1969, 1973, 1974 and 1976).

Subsequent to the merger, they have qualified for the playoffs 25 times. The team has played in four Super Bowls (IV, VIII, IX and XI). In addition, they have lost in their last five NFC Championship Game appearances since 1977. The team currently has numerous members in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

By 1969 the Vikings had the best record in the NFL at 12-2. The Vikings faced off against the Cleveland Browns for the NFC Championship game in 1969 and won by a score of 27-7. The Vikings enjoyed several NFC Central Division and Conference Championships in the 1970s.

The Vikings played their home games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis from 1982 to 2013, with their last game being a 14-13 victory against the Lions on December 29, 2013. During the 2014 and 2015 seasons, the team played at TCF Bank Stadium the completion of their new stadium.